Shoulder to shoulder, exit DArcy and Flannery

While Ireland flew to Poland, and the provinces prepared for the new season, two international teammates had shoulder surgery on Friday. Peter OReilly reports

GIVEN the year that’s ahead, rolling almost non-stop into the World Cup, August probably isn’t the worst time for international players to be out of commission. But that is scant consolation for Jerry Flannery and Gordon D’Arcy, both of whom had shoulder operations in Dublin on Friday.

Flannery faces a four-month lay-off — interesting news for Munster and Ireland rival Frankie Sheahan, who is on honeymoon but hoping to be ready when the newly titled Magners League kicks off in three weeks. Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan said yesterday that he expects D’Arcy to return around mid-October, in time for the November Tests against South Africa, Australia and the Pacific Islanders, following an operation described as a “clean-up”.

Their injuries have also deprived the pair of the delights of the Polish town, Spala, home to the Olympic training facility where the senior international squad begin an intense week of pre-season training today.